Internationale groepsreis Mt Toubkal Climb

Food

All breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners included.
Moroccan food is, generally speaking, excellent though not particularly varied. Breakfasts usually consist of bread and jam with coffee or tea. When eating out, meals are reasonably priced - kebab and bread cost only about GBP4 (approx. . USD6.50). In main towns it is possible to find very good French and Moroccan restaurants where a meal and French wine will cost anything from GBP20 (approx. . USD30) upwards. Generally dinner is likely to cost between GBP5-10 (approx. . USD8-15) depending on what you drink. GBP15 (approx. . USD25) a day for food should be sufficient. Local beers, wines and soft drinks are available at very reasonable prices but you can pay UK prices or more for imported alcohol. Your leader can help recommend restaurants each evening.
Vegetarians can be catered for but there is a fairly limited choice of cous cous and tajine or omelettes. This is particularly the case during the more rural or trekking sections of the trip.
Please note that if you have any special dietary requirements you should inform the Exodus Office prior to the trip. If you have a specific medical/dietary need (i.e. coeliac or vegan) you may find it helpful to bring some items of food with you from home.
Since the EU banned the use of iodine tablets, we are no longer able to provide these on trek. The recommended alternative of Biox Aqua drops are not available in Morocco, therefore if you are travelling from UK we advise you buy your own purification tablets in the UK and take them with you. Bottled water can be purchased throughout the trip. Please note recycling is not fully established in Morocco so plastic bottles are an increasing waste problem.

Activities

Small Adult Group

Food

All breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners included.
Moroccan food is, generally speaking, excellent though not particularly varied. Breakfasts usually consist of bread and jam with coffee or tea. When eating out, meals are reasonably priced - kebab and bread cost only about GBP4 (approx. . USD6.50). In main towns it is possible to find very good French and Moroccan restaurants where a meal and French wine will cost anything from GBP20 (approx. . USD30) upwards. Generally dinner is likely to cost between GBP5-10 (approx. . USD8-15) depending on what you drink. GBP15 (approx. . USD25) a day for food should be sufficient. Local beers, wines and soft drinks are available at very reasonable prices but you can pay UK prices or more for imported alcohol. Your leader can help recommend restaurants each evening.
Vegetarians can be catered for but there is a fairly limited choice of cous cous and tajine or omelettes. This is particularly the case during the more rural or trekking sections of the trip.
Please note that if you have any special dietary requirements you should inform the Exodus Office prior to the trip. If you have a specific medical/dietary need (i.e. coeliac or vegan) you may find it helpful to bring some items of food with you from home.
Since the EU banned the use of iodine tablets, we are no longer able to provide these on trek. The recommended alternative of Biox Aqua drops are not available in Morocco, therefore if you are travelling from UK we advise you buy your own purification tablets in the UK and take them with you. Bottled water can be purchased throughout the trip. Please note recycling is not fully established in Morocco so plastic bottles are an increasing waste problem.

Activities

Guided Group

Accom: camping

Accom: hotel/lodge

Adult group

Culture & Discovery

Solo departures

Trek: summits

Walking & Trekking

1

Start Marrakech.

Depending on your arrival time, there may be some time to explore this wonderfully colourful city.

After breakfast we transfer by minibus to Imi Oughlad, a journey that takes us from the plains around Marrakech into the heart of the High Atlas range. After meeting our mules and muleteers we start a 5 hour walk, climbing up to the Tacht Pass (2000m) before descending into the Azaden Valley, famous for its beautiful juniper forests, for the night.
5 hours walking, 11KM, Alt. gain 643m, Alt. loss 300m

3

Walk through Berber villages and spectacular mountain scenery, including the Ighoulidem waterfall.

A full day walking through the villages on the northern slope of Mt Toubkal. This famous mountain can be seen from Marrakech thanks to its unique shape. We travel through Azib Tamsoult and the Irhouliden cascade before arriving at our camp for the night, which sits at an impressive 3030m. There is an optional ascent in the afternoon for those who want to try a more demanding 3-hour trek to the summit of Hadjj (3200m), for excellent views of Mt Toubkal.
6 hours walking, 8KM, Alt. gain 1230m, Alt. loss 130m

4

Ascend the Aguelzim Pass (3550m) and enjoy superb views of the Toubkal Massif before walking down to base camp.

We depart early to cross the Aguelzim pass (3550m) where we can enjoy panoramic views of the Toubkal Massif and back towards the villages we passed two days ago. We then descend to Toubkal Base Camp and either enjoy a 2 hour optional climb to the summit of Ouanoums (3650m) or simply relax at our base for the night. The busy Neltner refuge, which sits at an altitude of 3207m, was constructed by Club Alpin Française in 2000. We camp outside the refuge so we can benefit from the atmosphere and views of surrounding 4000m peaks.
5 hours walking, 6KM, Alt. gain 550m, Alt. loss 300m

5

An early start climbing scree before traversing the southern ridge to reach the summit of Mt Toubkal (4167m). Enjoy magnificent panoramic views before descending to base camp.

We make an early start for the ascent of Toubkal, climbing steeply through scree before traversing the southern ridge to reach the summit at 4167m. After enjoying the magnificent panoramic views, we descend back to Base Camp.
6 Hours walking, 6KM, Alt. gain 960m, Alt. loss 960m

6

Climb Mt Ouanakrim (4088m); descend to the village of Arroumd.

We have an exciting opportunity this morning to ascend another of Morocco's 4000m peaks - Mt Ouanakrim. Depending on weather and the groups ability, our leader will decide if this walk is achievable. We then leave base camp to walk to the village of Arroumd (1904m). If there is time, we will spend the afternoon exploring the village and spend the night at a local gite.
4 hours walking, 9KM, Alt. gain 0m, Alt. loss 1300m (this does not include the optional climb of Mt Ouanakrim).

7

Short walk to Imlil; return to Marrakech for guided tour.

The short walk down to Imlil is followed by the drive back towards Marrakech, where we have a guided tour. Taking in the main sites of this wonderful city, we learn about the history, culture and architecture. We then have free time to explore the Djemaa el Fna, and the Souq, a must for some serious bargaining for souvenirs.